What if I told you one in five hospital beds in the Illawarra Shoalhaven is unavailable for local patients because it’s occupied by someone with no place to call home? Or that across NSW, the equivalent of seven hospitals are filled with people not receiving medical care but living there because they have no safe alternative?

These are the confronting realities of Bed Block—a critical issue affecting not just older people or individuals with disabilities but everyone in our community who relies on hospital care.

As a part of our new podcast/vodcast series Community Matters, we embark on a five-part series, where we dive deep into the challenges of bed block in the Illawarra and South Coast region. Hosted by our CEO, Nicky Sloan, this series brings together passionate experts, including Margot Mains, CEO of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, to explore:

• The underlying causes of bed block, its ripple effects across the health system, and it’s impact on the community.

• Innovative strategies and bold solutions to tackle this growing crisis.

• How community-driven efforts can make a real difference.

🎙️ BEDBLOCK Part 1 Nicky meets with Margot Mains drops soon! Stay tuned for updates, and get ready to join the conversation.

Link to Youtube Vodcast
Link to Spotify Podcast
Link to Apple iTunes

Project proposals open for $200 million disaster risk reduction and resilience funding to keep Australian’s safe. 

​The third round of the Government’s flagship $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) is now open. The Fund seeks to reduce risk and build resilience in communities across Australia. 

DRF Round Three will invest $200 million in projects that support Australian communities to manage the physical, economic and social impacts of future floods, cyclones, bushfires, storm surges and other natural hazards. 

Works that deliver enduring benefits for communities are a particular focus this year, with $138 million earmarked for infrastructure projects. 

The DRF has already invested in 351 projects to better prepare and protect communities across the country. 

Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister said the Disaster Ready Fund is a great opportunity for communities that want to be better prepared. The DRF will help communities undertake critical projects they may not be able to fund on their own. 

“Australians know that our climate is changing, and communities can expect to experience more intense and more frequent natural disasters. It’s why the Albanese Government is acting to prepare and protect communities from natural disasters and their impacts,” Minister McAllister said. 

Applicants have from Wednesday 22 January to Wednesday 2 April 2025 to submit project proposals for Round Three to the Lead Agency in their state or territory. Program guidelines and contact details for Lead Agencies are available at: https://www.nema.gov.au/our-work/key-programs/disaster-ready-fund#RoundThree

Information about projects funded in previous rounds can be found here Disaster Ready Fund.

ECEC Accessing Interpreter Services Working Group

CI Group, in partnership with various services, is addressing the ongoing challenge of limited access to interpreter services for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) providers. We know many services face difficulties in securing interpreters or are burdened by high costs, creating communication barriers for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) families. These barriers significantly impact children's development, particularly during the crucial first 2,000 days. To tackle this issue, the group is seeking input from organisations to identify best practices and advocacy opportunities. The goal is to improve access to interpreter services, ensuring that CALD families are better supported, and that children in early childhood services can thrive. Stay tuned for future updates from this group as we work towards improving interpreter access and supporting CALD families in early childhood education.

Photo of some of the current member of the group : L-R

• Lisa Preston: Big Fat Smile

• Sofia Lema: ISLHD Multicultural and Refugee Health Service

• Ann Burbrook: Illawarra Multicultural Services (IMS)

• Kim McCausland: Illawarra Multicultural Services (IMS)

New doing it Tough Booklet - Information on homelessness services

Southern Cross Housing in conjunction with Shoalhaven City Council are updating the Shoalhaven - Doing it Tough Booklet. The last full review of the book was undertaken in 2022 and some of the information contained in it is dated.

The book provides members of the community with information about services and programs that can support people that are experiencing homelessness. A copy of it is attached to this email.  Shoalhaven City Council draw information for the book from SCH’s electronic records that are kept for the SCH Path2Home Support Finder Page SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE – Southern Cross Housing.  If your support organisation is based in the Shoalhaven LGA and you would like to be part of the book please go to PATH2HOME REGISTRATION – Southern Cross Housing and complete the registration form.

If you already have a listing on the website you should have received an email with a request for you to review and update the existing entry. If you have not received an email please let me know.

If you are based outside of the Shoalhaven LGA and want your organisation to feature on the website please head to PATH2HOME REGISTRATION – Southern Cross Housing and complete the registration form

It would be appreciated if you could complete the above by COB Friday 14th February 2025. 

FRRR 'Rebuilding Futures' Disaster Resilience & Preparedness Grant Opportunity Information Session

This workshop will present details of the Suncorp Rebuilding Futures grant program including discussions on the type of projects that meet the grant criteria and any priority areas.

The Suncorp Rebuilding Futures grant program seeks to support disaster preparedness and recovery projects activated by local remote, rural and regional communities across Australia that have been impacted by disaster or extreme weather events from 2019 -2024.

Grants of up to $20,000 (Stream 1) are available for projects focussed on the medium to long-term recovery and resilience building of the local community AND between $20,000 - $50,000 (Stream 2) for projects focussed on community infrastructure preparedness work that aims to 'build back better'.

Supporting mental health in rural communities

The In a Good Place program gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of community-driven projects, services, activities or initiatives, which clearly and directly focus on strengthening mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable community members who are at risk of, or are experiencing, mental health issues.

The program supports community-based approaches that:

• are preventative or responsive in nature;

• focus on reducing mental health stigma and promote open discussions about mental health;

• encourage, support and enable people to seek help; and

• reduce social isolation by fostering social participation, inclusion and connection.

There are now two streams within the program:

Community wellbeing for projects focussing on mental health and wellbeing within remote, rural and regional communities; and

Farmers and farming communities for projects specifically supporting mental health and wellbeing of farmers and the communities they live in.

SILA Information Session

Applications are opening soon for NSW & ACT CEOs to participate in the fully-funded Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) program. Valued at $80,000 per delegate, this world class, capacity building initiative is specifically designed for leaders of for-purpose organisations

Face to face training in the Shoalhaven Area

BCR have been working in partnership with the OCG to be able to host the training in the Bay & Basin area at Sanctuary Point Youth & Community Centre, on the 26th March from 10am – 3pm, lunch provided by Community Industry Group.   

Please see the below links for the workshops:

Developing a Code of Conduct – Sanctuary Point Morning Session: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/developing-a-code-of-conduct-sanctuary-point-morning-session-tickets-1217263400599?aff=oddtdtcreator

Empowerment and Participation – Sanctuary Point Afternoon Session: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/empowerment-and-participation-sanctuary-point-afternoon-session-tickets-1217269107669?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please sign up via both links because we need numbers for both sessions.

Agenda for the day is as below:
Morning Session – 10am – 12 midday
Lunch – 12 midday – 1pm – funded by Community Industry Group
Afternoon session – 1pm – 3pm 

ClubGRANTS 2025 - Find Your Local Grant Round

Use the find your local grant round search to find out what funding is available and how to apply in your area. Find your local grant round | ClubGRANTS

FREE EVENT! How play can transform communities into vibrant, connected, and thriving spaces

Date: 6th March 2025
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Location: Southern Youth and Family Services Auditorium, Warilla NSW.
Don’t miss this chance to reimagine play in your community! 

Join Us for a FREE Seniors Week Aboriginal Art Workshop

Celebrate Seniors Week with an inspiring Aboriginal Art Workshop at Coomaditchie! Join us on Tuesday, 4 March, from 10 am to 2 pm, for a creative and cultural experience in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Lead artist Elders Auntie Lorraine Brown and Auntie Narelle Thomas

This workshop is open to all seniors and offers a unique opportunity to connect with the rich cultural heritage of our region through art. Guided by skilled Aboriginal artists, participants will create their own masterpieces while learning about traditional techniques and stories.

Spaces are limited to 20 participants, so don’t miss out! Bookings are essential. Please contact us at [email protected] or call Community Industry Group on 02 4256 4333 to secure your spot.

Light catering will be provided, and all materials, including canvases, are supplied. Whether you're an experienced artist or trying something new, this workshop promises a day of creativity, connection, and cultural appreciation.

We can’t wait to see you there! Link to book.

Expression of Interest for Transition of Service Delivery for Department of Social Services Programs

The Department of Social Services is currently examining options to facilitate the transition of services from non-Indigenous non-government organisations to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), in line with commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to support the growth of the ACCO sector.

The Department of Social Services is scoping interest from non-Indigenous organisations who are considering transition of their services, or are currently undertaking steps to do so. This will assist with departmental awareness and forward planning for the processes that will be involved with supporting transitions over the coming months and years.

This work will be a continuation of the Stronger ACCOs Stronger Families (SASF) Project, which aims to increase the number of ACCOs delivering services funded under the department’s Families and Children Activity, and increase the number of genuine partnerships between ACCOs and non-Indigenous organisations delivering Commonwealth-funded child and family services. SASF has aimed to support self-determination within community on how services are delivered and who they are delivered by, including through partnership approaches, which requires working with communities to determine their needs in ways that are culturally sensitive, respectful and safe. We are currently examining how we can support this aim in the facilitation of transition processes.

If you are interested in transitioning services to the ACCO sector, please reach out to the SASF team at [email protected] with some brief information on your current situation, and what you are currently doing/would be looking to do in the transition of services.

The SASF Team
Family Partnerships and Engagement Policy Section
Family and Adult Supports Branch
The Department of Social Services E: [email protected]

Guidelines: If you are a member and want to add something
to our Newsletter email your flyer to [email protected].